Cascade DDA to hear Metro Cruise sponsorship in April; staff reports new businesses and a major warehouse closing

Staff used the meeting to preview a Metro Cruise sponsorship proposal that Brandon Simmons will present at the April meeting and to update the board on recent business activity in the DDA district.

Board members asked about last year’s sponsorship arrangement and whether the DDA received measurable ROI. A staff member said, "I believe it was $14,000" last year for the sponsorship contribution and offered to forward an event summary; the assembled packet contained limited business foot-traffic metrics and staff said those metrics were hard to quantify.

Staff also reported recent local business news: Jersey Mike's held a grand opening near Sorena Apple Brewing with a charitable promotion for Pine Ridge Elementary, and the board was told that Folling Warehouse will cease operations toward the end of the month. Members discussed meeting with the owners of the strip center to encourage recruitment of tenants that fit the village character, including creative reuse and possible food hall concepts.

To improve outreach and transparency around major projects (including Tassel Park and zoning changes), staff proposed a mailer to explain the DDA's purpose and a public-facing project page with FAQs and renderings; the board asked staff to prioritize timely communications and suggested naming opportunities (benches, pavers) to support fundraising.

The board did not take final action on sponsorships, communications mailings, or redevelopment incentives at this meeting; each item will return for future consideration.